The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) manages several different programs to provide missile defense for the United States and its military. One of these is the Ground-Based Midcourse system. This consists of right now a group of interceptors in Alaska along with sensor and fire control radars scattered across the globe. The Obama Administration as one of its defense reform decisions canceled further expansion of the system stopping further deployment of interceptor missiles and a radar system in Europe. The existing system though remains functional and must be supported.

Boeing (BA) had been the primary contractor on the development and deployment of the Mid-Course system. It currently has the contract to provide maintenance and support for the existing components. The MDA intends to re-bid this contract with an open competition and various teams are forming to bid on this work.

Lockheed Martin (LMT) announced that their team will contain the Alaska based Alaska Aerospace Corp.. This company had been heavily involved in the development of the Kodiak Island space launch complex used by the MDA to launch test and target systems. That facility though will not see much use in the future as MDA and other U.S. users look to use other sites.

Choosing partners in these kind of situations are motivated by more then just what work they can do but also what political influence they might have. AAC will certainly aid Lockheed in that it will most likely garner support from Alaska state and local officials as well as their Congressional delegation. Look for similar announcements by all those intending to win the contract to highlight small businesses and other companies that might be helpful.